The Reasons Why I Need You

20. Round and Round

        "He told you what," Jared practically screams at me. "That is absurd. Wait do you actually believe him?" I think he gets my message when hears my silence. "Great. Have a good night Emma, I'm leaving."
        Right as he turns to leave I grab his arm. "You can't expect me to trust you right off the hook. We barely even know each other."
        "You're right we're strangers now," he says pulling his arm away leaving me stranded at prom. How nice.

***

On Monday Jared hardly acknowledged me. I'd say," Hi," to him and he ignored me. Needless to say it sucks.
Then on Tuesday I tried again, nothing.
Today however, he's going to talk to me whether he likes it or not.
As I'm walking down the hall and I see Olivia by her locker. I should probably ask if what Stephen said is true.
"Hi," I say coming from behind her. She glances at me and then goes back to grabbing her book for the next class she's in.
"Hi," she finally responds.
"Umm, did you and Jared-"
"No," she snaps slamming her locker shut. "Stephen is only saying that to have reason to break up with me! Can't people see that?"
"Sorry... I'll just leave," I say awkwardly.
"No I'm sorry, Emma. The thing is, Stephen is nice and sweet but when he's done with a girl he has to make up some horrid story. He mainly said that story to get you, the new girl he wants, and to dump me. It's how Stephen works," she explains to me. "As for Jared, he's pretty hurt by both you and Stephen. But I don't blame you for believing Stephen, he's pretty persuasive."
After a moment to take it all in I finally say to her," Thanks for telling me. At least I know now."

***

After school I ambush Jared.
"Jared wait," I shout.
"Why? Do you somehow believe me now," he asks facing me and throwing his hands up in the air.
"Jared, you're overreacting. If you were me you would have done the same thing. I barely know you! I don't know your dating history! You can't get mad at me for trying to protect myself from getting hurt," I say to him. I'm tired of him treating me like I'm the bad person. He could have explained to me that it was one of Stephen's things. I don't know Stephen very well. How was I supposed to know?
"Well maybe instead of assuming how I act you can ask me. That would be better."
"You know what Jared, I'm tired of you making me look like a villain when I didn't know the whole story! I was trying to figure it out and you freaked out on me for it! You know what, I'm done with this and done with you. Goodbye Jared, goodbye."

***
Jared's POV

"Victor, I screwed up."
"What did you do now?"
"I got mad at Emma for not trusting me and now she wants nothing to do with me."
"Dude, you both just met. And are you a girl? Seriously, if you want her fight for her."
"But-"
"No buts, we're leaving."
"Right now?"
"Yes right now," Victor says grabbing his keys. "Come on lover boy, grab my guitar."
"Why?"
"You're going to serenade her while I play the guitar."
"What? No!"
"Yes! Girls love that shit!"
"Maybe Evelyn does but not Emma."
"Bring the guitar, and when you finish explaining the pain your going through and blah blah blah. She'll probably take you back and then you can serenade her."
"Oh my god."
"It'll work... I hope, let's go."
"Did you just say I hope?"
"Nope, in the car we go."